NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Top Sportsman presented by Racing RVs class also produced a first-time winner in Rich Smith, who wheeled his six-second ’68 Camaro to a final-round win against defending St. Louis winner Tom Schmidt. Both drivers were competitive off the starting line, but Schmidt’s car slowed, allowing Smith to take the win with a slowing 6.725 on his 6.67 dial. Smith’s side of the ladder was like a who’s who of Top Sportsman racing, including Keith Raftery, Bob Gulitti, and last year’s third-ranked driver, Sandy Wilkins.